The Institute of Tourism Studies starts the new academic year with a 7% increase in enrolled students.

The Institute of Tourism Studies welcomed 630 students, both new and returning, when it officially started its academic year 2017/2018, with an opening ceremony held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta earlier today. Over 140 students, following a Bachelor Degree with the institute started their academic year a month earlier in September, being the first intake for Bachelor Degree courses with the institute. These numbers do not include those studying on a part-time basis and reflect a 7% increase from the previous year.

The Institute of Tourism Studies now offers courses starting from Foundation to Bachelor Degree, by having introduced the first ever three Bachelor Degree programmes earlier this year. The highest increase in applicants was in the higher levels programmes, specifically in Certificate, Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Bachelor Degree programmes, which entail MQF levels 3 to 6. The Food Preparation and Services programme was the most sought-after, with 126 applicants this year, and these students may now continue their studies up to a degree level.

In welcoming the students, ITS CEO Mr Pierre Fenech said that, “This is an exciting first step for you who have chosen to take on a career in the tourism and hospitality industry, and also an exciting time to be studying at the Institute of Tourism Studies. You are now able to continue your studies up to a Bachelor Degree level and the Institute is also working on launching Master Degrees programmes in the coming years.”

“With record breaking numbers each year for the Maltese tourism, the tourism and hospitality industry requires even more professional staff both on full-time and part-time basis, providing the highest level of service and customer care. The service providers met by tourists throughout their stay need to be professional, whether at the hotel, in restaurants and bars, during a guided tour, at places of interest, and when they make arrangements for their travel, be it for leisure or business. This will raise the bar for the Maltese tourism sector and Malta will experience even higher record breaking numbers each year.” concluded Mr. Pierre Fenech.

The Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi stated that, “Malta’s tourism sector strives to provide the best offering in the Mediterranean. This can be achieved by investing in world class human resources. The Institute for Tourism Studies will be at the forefront of our efforts as demonstrated by the launch of world class programmes at every level in conjunction with the Institute of Paul Bocuse in France, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Science in Finland, and the University of Malta.”